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Lincoln Boulevard

Long occupied by car washes and auto repair operations, the stretch of Lincoln Boulevard between Venice Boulevard and Rose Avenue is being transformed with indie stores and restaurants that cater to savvy crowds. Among them is Superba Food & Bread, an offshoot of the Venice pasta bar, which is set to open in an 82-year-old auto body shop. Reminders of the area’s rougher side linger: The building housing Bruno’s, an upscale pet boutique, was recently tagged with graffiti.

WurstkücheChoose among two dozen sausages, from classics like bratwurst to exotics like rattlesnake. The dining room resembles a monastery, with its long wood tables. Save room for the thick Belgian fries and one of the 24 beers on tap. » 625 Lincoln Blvd., 213-687-4444.

Baby Blues BBQCorrugated metal lines a wall and Johnny Cash gives you the finger from a surfboard painting. The neon-lit bastion of smoked meat normally has a long queue of fans waiting for the tri-tip, ribs, and chicken. » 444 Lincoln Blvd., 310-396-7675.

Deus Ex MachinaThe café and lifestyle brand from Down Under traffics in surfboards, custom motorcycles, denim overalls, and $100 sweatshirts. Drinks like the Flat White may confuse even experienced coffee fiends; it’s the Aussie take on a cappuccino. » 1001 Venice Blvd., 888-515-3387.

American ReplayDig through the recycled Members Only jackets, cutoff shorts, ruffled dresses, and faded jeans. Everything is affordably priced, especially if you take advantage of the $1 parking lot sale on Sundays. » 835 Lincoln Blvd., 310-664-8888.

The Mart CollectiveThe cavernous building holds dozens of stalls that are filled with antiques, paintings, sculptures, and vintage tchotchkes. Look for the 1960s mannequin heads, stuffed jackalopes, and a pinball machine from the 1920s. » 1600 Lincoln Blvd., 310-450-5142.

WitZendJeb Milne opened this joint in 2011 as a performance space for local talent. Despite his sudden passing last year, the place is still going strong. An enthusiastic crowd packs the dimly lit club to hear singers and comedians, all for a $10 cover charge. » 1717 Lincoln Blvd., 310-305-4792.

Lincoln Fine WinesNeed a moderately priced pinot? Knowledgeable staffers patiently field such requests. The selection is large, considering the small space, which can occasionally mean hunting through cardboard boxes stacked on the floor. » 727 Lincoln Blvd., 310-392-7816.

We’ve been in this building for about 15 years. In terms of reaching out to the kids, our goal is not just to be a baby-sitter. Our goal is to create programming that some kids otherwise wouldn’t receive. It’s been interesting to see all the construction that’s going on and the new businesses coming in. We have great relationships with a lot of those folks. Community is everything around here. Venice is not just Abbot Kinney. When I am here, I walk to the different restaurants, and there’s a group of us planning to ride our bikes to work in the summer. I already have it mapped out. 2232 Lincoln Blvd., 310-390-4477.

Background Check

Traffic TipPolice use Lincoln Boulevard in Marina del Rey and Venice for DUI checkpoints, which can cause slowdowns.

Public ServiceThe gallery Venice Arts, which opened in 1993, is known for its free workshops for low-income youth.

Street WiseThe signs say Lincoln Boulevard, but be aware that this busy coastal thoroughfare is part of historic Highway 1.